Crafty

Wednesday, 25 February 2015

Barley Twist Headband, Ear Warmer or Head Wrap

Free crochet pattern ear warmer in US and UK crochet terms.

Crochet Ear Warmer in Barley Twist Yarn

So many names for the same thing, a stylish and on-trend head wrap crocheted from chunky Barley Twist Yarn. I don't know about you but I don't always want to wear a hat and this is ideal, it is a head wrap that covers enough to keep you warm without over heating. And of course, it is really stylish. You can even drop it down around your neck if you get too warm as it make a nice neck warmer too.

I used Barley Twist yarn from Aldi's but any chunky yarn will do. You can also make it in a thinner yarn if you want to. You can also adjust how wide it is by adding or subtracting the number of chain stitches you make at the start. This pattern produces a headband that is 4 inches wide by 21 inches long and it is perfect for me. By adding the buttons it is easy to adjust the size for a smaller head.

I suggest you measure your head before you start to make sure you get it just right. Remember to leave a little 'give' in it so it fits snuggly.

Stitches in this pattern:

UK = Chain stitch (ch) US = Chain Stitch

UK = Double Crochet (DC) US = Single Crochet (SC) To make this stitch, insert hook through loop or chain stitch, yarn over hook and pull through giving you 2 stitches on your hook, yarn over hook and pull through both stitches.

UK = Treble Crochet (TC) US = Double Crochet. To make this stitch, yarn over hook, insert hook through stitch, yarn over and pull through giving you 3 stitches on your hook, yarn over and pull through 2 loops, yarn over and pull through remaining loops.

What you need for this Crochet Ear Warmer

Approximately 70-75 yards of chunky yarn
An appropriate sized crochet hook - check the label on your yarn. I used a 9mm hook for mine. Remember a larger hook will produce a wider weave, a smaller one a tighter weave.
Scissors
A Yarn needle with a large eye
3 buttons that will fit through the treble crochet (US = Double Crochet) stitch. This means you don't need to make button holes.

Crochet Head Wrap in Rib-Effect Crochet

US Crochet Pattern For Barley Twist Head Wrap

Chain 10 stitches + 1

Foundation Row = Skip first stitch from hook.

Double Crochet into next and every chain stitch across.

Chain 2 and turn the work.

2 Row = Skip first stitch, working through the front loop only, that is the loop furtherest away from you, Double Crochet each stitch across. You can find instruction for this stitch HERE. Chain 2 and turn. Make sure you are working 10 stitches each time or the size will not be right.

Continue until it measures 20-21 inches depending on how long you want it. Measure around your head to make sure it will fit snuggly.

Edging - To tidy up the edges single crochet all around - when you get the length you want, chain 1 and turn the work. Single crochet along the row to the end - as this will be a corner, chain 1 than single crochet into the same stitch. Single crochet down the long side to the end then turn the corner as before. Single crochet along the narrow edge, make a corner, and single crochet back up the other edge. Fasten off at the top.

Sew in all tails.

Sew on the buttons on one edge.

Handmade Crochet Head Wrap in Chunky Yarn

UK Crochet Pattern For Barley Twist Head Wrap

Chain 10 stitches + 1

Foundation Row = Skip first stitch from hook.

Triple Crochet into next and every chain stitch across.

Chain 2 and turn the work.

2 Row = Skip first stitch, working through the front loop only, that is the loop furtherest away from you, Triple Crochet each stitch across. You can find instruction for this stitch HERE where I call it double crochet in US terms but it is Triple Crochet in UK terms. Chain 2 and turn. Make sure you are working 10 stitches each time or the size will not be right.

Continue until it measures 20-21 inches depending on how long you want it. Measure around your head to make sure it will fit snuggly.

Edging - To tidy up the edges double crochet all around - when you get the length you want, chain 1 and turn the work. Double crochet along the row to the end - as this will be a corner, chain 1 than double crochet into the same stitch. Double crochet down the long side to the end then turn the corner as before. Double crochet along the narrow edge, make a corner, and double crochet back up the other edge. Fasten off at the top.

Monday, 16 February 2015

I
actually used the same pattern and yarn I used for my Christmas
necklace since I have plenty of yarn left and I like the green and red
together. You can see that pattern on Hubpages HERE. It will open in a new window so you won't lose your place.

I made two magic hearts from the video tutorial on YouTube below. These
are really pretty little hearts with a puffy look to them - I made
several with chunky yarn for other projects and they are adorable and easy enough for a beginner to manage.

Where
I joined my three cords I fitted one heart to the front and one to the
back and sewed them together making sure I sewed at least partly into
the cords to keep them in place.

It is
amazing how much effect adding simple flowers can add to any project. I
used a simple cluster of three rosettes as embellishments for the
knitted bags I posted about the other day.

You can whip up one
of these in just a few minutes. They only involve a foundation chain and
one row of double crochet stitches. You can increase the size of the
flower by adding multiples of 3 stitches using different yarn or
different size hooks.

HOW TO MAKE A SIMPLE ROSETTE CROCHET FLOWER

yarn, crochet hook, scissors, yarn needle

You will need:
Scrap Yarn
Appropriate Crochet Hook for the yarn chosen
Scissors
Yarn Needle to finish off and sew in place.

Rosette Flower Pattern

crochet chain 27 stitches

Chain 27 stitches.

Skip the first three stitches - these three stitches form the first double crochet stitch.

In
the next chain stitch make 2 double crochet stitches. To make a double
crochet stitch, yarn over hook, hook through stitch, yarn over hook,
pull through, leaves you with 3 loops on your hook, yarn over and pull
through 2 loops, yarn over and pull through 2 hoops.

Skip next stitch.

Make 2 double crochets in next stitch.

Repeat to the end.

Cut yarn and pull through the last stitch on the hook leaving a tail to sew the flower.

How to Knit Bags and Purses in Garter Stitch One Pattern - Different Results

Knitted purses in garter stitch

Would
you like to learn how to create great bags and purses? Here I show you
how to make several purses or handbags using one simple knitting
pattern. You can easily make a smaller or larger one by adding or
subtracting stitches. They are knitted in simple garter stitch - you
knit every row - so are ideal for a beginner. Change the appearance by
the type of yarn you use and the type of decoration or buttons you use
for finishing. Add a handle or lining as you need. Each bag uses only
one or two balls of yarn and can easily be finished in one or two
evenings. Your only limitation is your imagination. Be adventurous -
experiment!

If you are new to knitting check out my BEGINNER KNITTING on how to cast on, how to garter stitch and how to cast off.

My Barley Twist Crochet Button Scarf or Cowl:

Free Crochet Pattern Suitable for Beginners

Barley Twist Button Scarf

If
you are looking for a fast and easy crochet project with almost instant
gratification my free crochet pattern for this chunky button scarf or
cowl will suit you down to the ground. I've included full instructions
and a step by step guide to the stitches used. Although I am based in
the UK I use US crochet terms.

Now I've learned the basic
stitches in crocheting I find myself experimenting and came up with this
cute and cosy cowl. I have seen lots of patterns for crochet into the
back loop and wondered what it would look like when worked into the
front loop - this was the result. The joy of this stitch is you don't
need to make button holes as the weave is loose enough to take buttons.
You can adjust the size of your cowl by increasing the number of
stitches in your chain across and how many rows you crochet. There are
also different ways to drape your scarf, use the buttons in different
places to create different looks.
All the images used in this article are by the author and copyright to AnnMackieMiller 2015

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About Me

Ann is a retired nurse and midwife with several diplomas in complementary health therapies. A keen crafter, Ann passes on her knitting tips and patterns and her newly discovered love for crochet. She is also an avid bird watcher and photographer. She divides her time between writing on health and self help topics and writing photo journals on bird behaviour beautifully illustrated with her own photos - Oh and Yarn Crafts